SWEET HOME, CHICAGO

We were back from the lake and in less than 24 hours we were in the heart of downtown Chicago for Emily's graduation ceremony from the International Academy of Design & Technology, class of 2011.
We couldn't have asked for a better day, not a cloud in the sky and temperatures were in the mid 80's. Perfect for a stroll in the park.
Millennium Park, that is. The ceremony was held at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance at Millennium Park.
A few years ago I worked just a few blocks West of here and brown bagged my lunch right here on the grass. But this day is all about Emily.
My baby girl with her degree in Interior Design. What a long road, but visionary dream it has been for her. Of course she is anxious to start working, but I think she needs a little break. ;-D
After the ceremony we had dinner at this lovely place right in the park.
Her proud boyfriend and father were just some of the guests. Next month we are going to have a big backyard bash to get some more celebrating in.
This was my view from the table. I love eating outside in the city. it can be as intimate or open as you want it to be. And I never get tired of looking up at those tall buildings. In fact, I thought and reminisced so much about my working girl days that I started to have thoughts about my own future...Is there a place for me here again? Or do I want to open a farm stand in Michigan? Well, I'll think about that another day...this was my baby girl's day!! Congratulations on a fine job, Emily. I hope all of you loved these pictures and do come visit Chicago, it's beautiful here! :-)

GOODBYE LAKE

It's time to go home...the car is being packed for our two hour trip back to Chicago. The Husband called me over to the window to look on to the front porch at this cute little chipmunk hiding under the wisteria, and I was able to get a shot. Isn't it cute?!
It's quite a big deal to clean out the refrigerator...so many things that we didn't finish, and so much more to bring home. We ate a lot of fruit and veggies while up here {ignore that 52 oz. bag of M&M's}. And yes, I cooked in the kitchen until the end because we never got the part for the grill. Still, it was fun and satisfying. Last night we had steak shish kabobs and broiled tomatoes. Every night was really a treat, but I think we are going to order a few pizza's when we get home.
Milo looks at my duffel bag. I don't know if he is anxious to go or feels bad he is leaving. After 2 weeks, this begins to feel like a permanent home to a pet, I'm sure.
I took one last stroll around the grounds...the daisies are doing wonderful. The little critter agrees...
...And this has always been our motto here.
My climbing rose has taken off since I planted it last month...I am so excited...
See the little bud...I wanted pink roses, so I have my fingers crossed. Next week, maybe I will see it blooming. Little things make me HAPPY!!
The Husband's rock garden is doing well, too. He has a few little purple blossoms and it looks really cute. He's proud of it.
And I have a few little cherry tomatoes...very late in the season, I guess, but I am just so glad that I have something!!! I planted so late {as usual}. But, some things never change.
The chives and herbs have been used with much love. And that's all that counts.
So I have also packed up my pretty flowers that have done me so well these last two weeks and they will brighten up my city home which I just love to pieces and miss so much. Thanks so much for following me along on this little adventure. From me, The Husband, Milo & Layla...thank you!! :-)

SLOW DAYS

I can't believe it is Thursday already. I am trying not to think about my vacation time running out. It has been such a big treat to be up here day after day, sipping my coffee while looking out at the bay...letting the day unfold any which way it wants. I am truly spoiled, but...back to the city we go on Sunday. I do miss the kids, especially Emily as she wasn't able to come up to visit. We will all be back for a Labor Day celebration and then the lake will significantly lose it's summer people as they head back home. Luckily, our home is year round.
Yesterday we took an hour ride north to a cute little beach town called South Haven. I love that name. I didn't take one picture...the sidewalks were crowded with tourists visiting all the cute shops and restaurants. You might remember we went last year as well. I've been here many times and always enjoy it. We had lunch on board the Idler, an old ship docked on the river leading to Lake Michigan. Then we strolled around town, stopping for huge ice cream cones. The only thing I bought was a clutch purse for the wedding that is the exact shade as my dress {now I just need shoes}. The Husband bought a Frisbee. He's such a big spender.
Have I mentioned that our grill died? I have been making dinner every night in the kitchen. Somehow it's different here, the fridge is overflowing with fresh vegetables from the farmer's market and I'm able to cut herbs from my little garden patch. No tomatoes yet, but I am ready to swipe a few from my neighbor's garden. Hmmm...big juicy tomatoes and cottage cheese. Lunch?
This is the little pelican I picked up at a thrift shop the other day. Isn't it cute? It looks like it is smiling. And only $2.00.
And this is the big Jade plant I found. It needs a bigger plant stand but I fell in love with this, too.

So this may be my last post as we wind up things here on the lake. We have a quiet weekend ahead with no company, but that's a good way to end it. Things are going to be crazy at home for the next two weeks before the wedding, but it's a good crazy.

How are all of you winding up summer? I suppose it's a relief for some because of the horrendous heat. We have been so fortunate, the days have been in the 70's with nice breezes. Again, I am so spoiled. If I do anything spectacular before we leave, I'll be sure to post! :-)

LAZY DAYS AT THE LAKE

Wow...I make a commitment to post everyday about the little goings~on of my lake vacation and then I come back 8 days later. Internet problems, I won't bore you with them but I will say it was quite an adjustment not to sit down with my coffee every morning and read blogs. Of course I got more done and we've had a great time hanging out here and taking short day trips. When we weren't, I spent a little more time inside because of the heat and actually read 3 books. The drugstore variety...beach reads if you will.

One day trip was just over the border in to Indiana to a town called Goshen. This is The Husband standing in front of an antique store where I was able to find a lot of cute things; some linen table runners, some silver platters and and a few more beachy things to clutter up my house with.
Isn't this old wagon darling...it made the shop so inviting...
...and the entrance, too.
This was a cute little place, I wish we had bought some scones to bring home.
A little kitty also made a welcoming appearance.
Another day we went to a town called White Pigeon where I had been once before and fell in love with an antique/flower shop. I had been meaning to get back for some time and I wasn't disappointed.
There was an outdoor sale going on and we loaded up the new truck with quite a few things. The Husband bought a small picnic table and I fell in love with several big plants that I'll show you later. One is a big old jade plant that looks to be 100 years old. A few stems broke off in the truck and I stuck them in a jar of water to re~root them...is that the right thing to do?
There were a lot of goodies outside...
...and inside. Funny how you look back at your pictures and see things in a clearer way. I flock to the pillows in this shop. There is a very talented little old lady that makes them and I have several already. I can't resist a pretty pillow.
More good stuff...
And I added to my blue jar collection. I like these, they have the old lids.
I bought the peach colored pillow as it goes so well with my sofa and...
this silk flower arrangement.
Other than a big downpour yesterday morning, it has only rained a little at night so we have been very lucky with the weather. It has finally cooled off and is 75 degrees right now. The days are flying by...I can't believe we've been here a week already. We had company this weekend and everyone had a great time out on the lake except during the big storm, but we made a huge breakfast and weathered it out.

We usually take a little 3 day trip when we are up here for the 2 weeks. This year we were going to wander into Ohio and check out some islands off Lake Erie but we just didn't plan soon enough. We do have a few more towns that we plan to visit to do a little more shopping and dining in, and I don't mind just kicking back here, there is so much commotion awaiting me at home. And I can't believe it is going to be Labor Day in a few short weeks. I wish summer was 6 months long!

So that's it for now. I hope you are enjoying the hazy, lazy days of summer. I'm going to catch up on visiting blogs, I hope you didn't forget me!! :-)

LAKE LIFE: DAY 2

I awoke this morning to The husband making breakfast. He gets up really early, like 7:00 a.m. I like to sleep until about 9:00, so breakfast was ready. Is he sweet or not?

I'm not sure if I am ready for this daily blogging thing...but we will see as we go along. As always, I have my camera with me and it sort of chronologies my days whether I blog or not.
Off he went to run errands in his new truck and I went out to examine the wisteria that is taking over our house. You might remember last summer that I flipped my lid over The Husband fiddling with the wisteria in an effort to make it climb up the balcony. This monster of a plant has choked out my hanging petunia baskets and is reaching desperately toward the ceiling of the front porch. I think it would wrap around me if I sat there too long. What a job this will be untangling it. I was warned.
I wanted to sit by the shore and read my book {you can see what I am reading on my sidebar}, but I couldn't find the keys to the shed to get my beach chair. I came inside and blogged a little. Finally, we made it out for a boat ride. Milo is now First Captain. He has his sea legs for sure.
At the grocery store., The Husband was able to find a Vietnamese fish called Swai. I sauteed it in olive oil and butter with a generous sprinkling of Old Bay Lemon and herb seasoning. It was the most delicious fish I have ever had...firm, sweet and totally non~fishy.
I simply cooked it on the stove as I was afraid it would fall apart on the grill. Plus, it's been in the low 90's all day and I barely sat outside. Tomorrow...yes. I need the fresh air.
So far The Husband and I haven't gotten tired of lake life. He has all sorts of plans. The lake is crowded now with weekenders and as soon as they are gone, I can do some solitary things like take the wave runner out or the kayak. For now...my one day here, I am staying close to home, reading a lot and making this house a home.

Should I come back tomorrow?

:-)

LAKE VACATION...DAY ONE

It's very quiet here...the clock is just about ready to strike midnight, We arrived at the lake at about 10:00 p.m. and we put away everything we need for the next 2 weeks up here. I'm looking forward to a lot of things...relaxing, eating healthy and getting moving a little bit more than I do at home. Of course we will have our little outings but for the most part...I can sit and have coffee for as long as I want {without kids humming in and out.} I can look out at the lake while I do this and know I am in a special place.

But for some reason, tonight, I am feeling a little melancholy {baby}. Leaving behind the kids...my big comfy bed that is SO much better than this bed here...missing Abby beside me reading...a whole 16 days with just The Husband. I crave this place on weekends and so looked forward to being here and not having to pack my duffel bag after 3 days. I am SO not trying to come off spoiled or ungrateful...God knows how hard all of you work and live for your weekends. I sound like a Pollyanna sometimes.

Mostly, this is The Husbands vacation. He works so hard. But he can't sit still. I am a loner and I love to sit in my rocker...pictured above, and just stare out at the water, daydreaming a bit.

I was thinking of posting every day while I was here on the lake...just a little post to share what we did and maybe a little more of my feelings and perceptions of the world around me. Would that be boring??

For now, have a good night. Tomorrow I am going to try to spend the day outdoors, the heck with the heat...I need some fresh air. I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend! :-)

A HAIR DILEMMA

Consider this a cry for help. I'm on a mission.
I have never downloaded pictures from the web for a post, but I have a lot of soul searching to do and a lot of decision making. It has me tearing out my hair and tearing up at the slightest mention of the dilemma. I have been looking inward and outward and I finally decided to share my grief with you. It takes a lot for me to admit...I just don't know what to do with my hair for this wedding.

This is Adele, my idol. A beautiful and soulful singer from the U.K. She's on my playlist a lot, maybe even now as you are reading this. I want to be her when I grow up. Oh, that's childish, I just want to be her now. Her fair skin, her perfect hair, her false eyelashes...
I could use some false eyelashes, and you know? I may just get them. We are having our make up and hair done professionally the morning of the big day. The make up artist does the most beautiful and natural eyelashes, and as you can see, I need a little help in that department. I'm not looking for anything huge, I'm not going to cause a breeze in any one's face as I speak to them, I just want to jazz things up a bit. And I feel I have gotten into a rut with my make up over the years; same old, same old. So I'm going to break out of the mold and go glam. Now, for the hair...
Here's Adele again. Did I mention I adore her? Well she wears her hair back combed up in a little pouf and then in a long ponytail. I love this look. Of course I will need bullet proof hairspray, but it will be worth it if my eyelashes are making the wind stir up. I thought maybe of wearing it half up and half down, but the neckline of my dress is very pretty from the back, so I want it to show. Decisions. I mentioned I am on a mission, didn't I?
I happened to stop by a blog called My Sweet Savannah today and she was showcasing some hairstyles. This is a variation of Adele's. A little looser and flowing, I don't know about the flower. What do you think?

I've really opened my heart up here and it feels good. I know you ladies listen and you were oh so complimentary about my new dress. This will probably be the last I post about the wedding. Friday, The Husband and I leave for a quiet 2 week respite up at the lake. I plan to do nothing but lie on the boat, ride my bike or kayak. Just peaceful bliss. So I need to tie up loose ends {or strands as it may be}, so I can be at peace at last. Comments please? :-)